Product Description
The MediaTek MT8173V/CB is a powerful SoC aimed at mid-range tablets, streaming devices, and smartphones, providing a balance between performance, multimedia capabilities, and battery efficiency. Featuring a hexa-core CPU with a mix of Cortex-A72, Cortex-A53, and a Cortex-M4 core, the MT8173V/CB is designed to handle both demanding tasks and low-power operations, making it ideal for media-centric devices.
Cortex-A72 and Cortex-A53 for Balanced Performance
The MT8173V/CB's tri-cluster CPU architecture with Cortex-A72 and Cortex-A53 cores ensures that it offers high processing power when needed and excellent energy efficiency during less demanding tasks. The Cortex-A72 cores are perfect for high-performance applications like gaming, video editing, and web browsing, while the Cortex-A53 cores manage lighter tasks such as social media, email, and basic web navigation, improving overall battery efficiency.
The Cortex-M4 core, which operates at a lower frequency, is designed to handle background tasks and system monitoring without consuming excessive power, further extending the battery life during idle periods.
PowerVR GX6250 GPU for High-Quality Graphics
The PowerVR GX6250 GPU is a dual-core graphics processor designed to handle Full HD video playback, casual gaming, and 3D rendering with ease. With support for OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan, and DirectX 12, it ensures that modern games and graphics-intensive apps run smoothly. The GPU's support for 4K video decoding also ensures a premium media experience, whether you're streaming 4K videos from services like YouTube or playing high-definition games.
Multimedia, Connectivity, and Power Efficiency
The MT8173V/CB is built for devices that prioritize media consumption and connectivity. It supports 4K video playback, enabling rich media experiences, and offers Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for fast internet speeds, along with Bluetooth 4.2 for seamless device connections. Its GPS support ensures accurate location tracking for navigation and geo-tagging apps.
The 28nm process technology and the Cortex-M4 core ensure that the chipset operates efficiently, providing a long-lasting battery life for devices that require a blend of performance and power savings.
In summary, the MT8173V/CB is a versatile SoC that offers robust performance, advanced graphics capabilities, and efficient power management, making it well-suited for mid-range tablets, smartphones, and streaming devices. Its capabilities in media playback, gaming, and connectivity make it a well-rounded choice for users seeking a balanced, affordable solution for multimedia consumption and light productivity.
Specification
CPU Architecture
The MediaTek MT8173V/CB employs a hexa-core CPU with a tri-cluster architecture that combines performance and efficiency:
Cortex-A72 (2 cores): The ARM Cortex-A72 cores are designed for high-performance applications, offering 2.1 GHz clock speeds. These cores excel in handling demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking, offering a significant boost in processing power compared to older ARM cores.
Cortex-A53 (4 cores): The ARM Cortex-A53 cores are more power-efficient and clocked at up to 1.7 GHz. These cores are designed to handle less demanding tasks such as web browsing, social media, and basic apps. The Cortex-A53 cores ensure that the chip consumes minimal power during lighter workloads, improving the device's battery life.
Cortex-M4 (1 core): The Cortex-M4 is used for low-power background tasks. This core operates at a lower frequency and handles lightweight operations such as system monitoring, background processes, and non-critical tasks. It is particularly helpful in extending battery life during idle periods or light usage.
This combination of high-performance and power-efficient cores ensures that the MT8173V/CB can seamlessly transition between high-demand tasks and power-saving activities, balancing performance with battery efficiency.
GPU (Graphics)
The MT8173V/CB is equipped with a PowerVR GX6250 dual-core GPU, offering excellent graphics capabilities for multimedia devices:
Graphics Performance: The PowerVR GX6250 is designed for devices that require Full HD (1080p) video playback and light gaming performance. It supports OpenGL ES 3.2 and Vulkan, enabling smooth graphical rendering in both 2D and 3D environments. This makes the MT8173V/CB suitable for running casual games, media apps, and other graphic-intensive applications.
Video Decoding: One of the standout features of the GPU is its support for 4K video decoding. The chip can decode 4K Ultra HD video at up to 30fps. This makes it highly suitable for devices used for media consumption, such as smart TVs, tablets, and streaming devices, delivering high-quality video playback and seamless streaming.
Power Efficiency: The PowerVR GX6250 is designed with energy efficiency in mind, making it suitable for battery-powered devices like tablets and portable media players. It can handle high-definition graphics while optimizing power consumption, ensuring longer device runtime even during media-intensive tasks like video playback or gaming.
Memory and Storage Support
RAM: The MT8173V/CB supports LPDDR3 memory, offering efficient data transfer and energy consumption. Typical configurations range from 2GB to 4GB of RAM, which allows for smooth operation across a range of tasks. With 2GB to 4GB RAM, devices can handle multitasking, run multiple applications simultaneously, and provide a responsive user experience.
Storage: The SoC supports eMMC 5.1 storage, typically available in configurations ranging from 16GB to 64GB. It offers reliable read/write speeds for typical consumer use cases, including app installation, media storage, and system functions. The MT8173V/CB also supports microSD card expansion, making it easy for users to expand storage if needed.
Memory and Storage Management: The combination of LPDDR3 RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage allows for a fast and responsive system. Users can quickly access apps and media content without experiencing significant delays, making the chipset well-suited for entertainment-focused devices.
Camera Support and Multimedia Features
The MT8173V/CB offers robust camera and multimedia capabilities, making it a strong choice for devices focused on media creation and consumption:
Camera Support: The MT8173V/CB supports rear cameras up to 21 MP and front-facing cameras of 8 MP. This makes it ideal for photo capturing and video conferencing. The ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the chip enhances image quality with features like auto-focus, HDR, and low-light performance.
4K Video Recording: The MT8173V/CB allows for 4K video recording at up to 30fps, making it suitable for high-quality video capture on devices like tablets and smartphones. This capability is especially useful for users who want to capture professional-looking videos without the need for expensive equipment.
Multimedia and Streaming: The SoC supports hardware-accelerated video decoding for a wide range of formats, including H.265/HEVC and VP9, making it highly capable of streaming 4K content from platforms like YouTube or Netflix. The ability to decode and display high-definition video ensures that the chip excels in media-centric devices.
Connectivity and Power Efficiency
Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): The MT8173V/CB integrates Wi-Fi 5 support, which provides faster internet speeds and better range compared to older Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). This is essential for users who stream high-definition media or use data-intensive applications like video conferencing or online gaming.
Bluetooth 4.2: The chipset includes Bluetooth 4.2, enabling wireless connections to various peripherals such as headphones, speakers, and fitness trackers. Bluetooth 4.2 offers improved energy efficiency and better data transfer speeds, ensuring seamless wireless connectivity.
GPS: The MT8173V/CB includes GPS support for location-based services like navigation, geo-tagging, and location tracking. Devices with this chipset can provide accurate and fast location data, making it useful for navigation apps and fitness trackers.
USB 3.0: The USB 3.0 support in the chipset allows for fast data transfer between the device and external storage or peripherals. This is particularly useful for users who need to transfer large files, such as videos, photos, or apps, from an external drive or USB stick.
Power Efficiency
The MT8173V/CB is built on a 28nm manufacturing process, ensuring that it remains power-efficient even when performing high-demand tasks like gaming or video streaming. The Cortex-M4 core also contributes to the chip's ability to handle background tasks and non-urgent operations with minimal power consumption.
Battery Life: The combination of Cortex-A72 cores for demanding tasks and Cortex-A53 cores for lighter loads ensures that the chipset provides a good balance of performance and battery efficiency. This helps devices powered by the MT8173V/CB achieve extended battery life, even during intensive activities like video playback or casual gaming.
Efficient Power Management: The MT8173V/CB uses dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), which adjusts power consumption based on the workload. This ensures that the device doesn't waste power during less intensive operations, which translates to improved battery longevity for users.
